Station did not act unfairly, authority rules

Wayne Johnson
Wayne Johnson
Wanaka mother Shelley Mitchell has decided not to appeal a Broadcasting Standards Authority decision that found Radio Wanaka did not act unfairly when it used her name in a broadcast item about a "white supreeemacy"-themed school ball after-party.

Ms Mitchell said she had reflected on the decision, released publicly yesterday, and did not have an argument with the manner in which Radio Wanaka owner Ed Taylor had dealt with her complaint.

She still objected strongly to broadcast comments by radio host Wayne Johnson that she needed "to get bloody bulleted out of town" for complaining about the after-party theme.

"But either way, I am over it."

Radio Wanaka had argued Mr Johnson's outburst was prompted by the fact Ms Mitchell had upset Wanaka people by attracting negative national media attention.

But Ms Mitchell said such attention could not be avoided. Since the "white supreeemacy" debacle, there had been an under-age snow sports drinking scandal, a spate of telecommunication box arsons and continued police concerns about alcohol-fuelled bad behaviour.

Mr Taylor and Mr Johnson declined to comment.

The authority noted Ms Mitchell raised her concerns about the after-party theme with Mt Aspiring College principal Wayne Bosley and also contacted Radio Wanaka and the Otago Daily Times.

Mr Johnson discussed Ms Mitchell's concerns during a breakfast show on April 3. He apologised unreservedly in a broadcast on April 6, saying the comment was made in the heat of the moment at a time when emotions were running high.

Ms Mitchell complained to Radio Wanaka, saying the broadcast was unfair, the host had spoken "very offensively", had used her name when he should not have done so, and had suggested she be run out of town. Her family had suffered distress.

Radio Wanaka replied that Ms Mitchell had not asked her name be held out and not been treated unfairly, but accepted Mr Johnson's comment was "totally inappropriate" and unfair.

Actions included two meetings with Mr Johnson to discuss, among other things, statutory broadcasting obligations.

"Radio Wanaka stated that it would not expect any repeat of this type of comment in the future, and noted that this was the first complaint against the host during his 36 years in broadcasting," the authority said.

It determined Radio Wanaka did not treat Ms Mitchell unfairly in using her name and had dealt "admirably" with the complaint by broadcasting an apology and reminding staff of their obligations. Mr Johnson's apology was appropriate and no further action was required.

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement

OUTSTREAM